History 297 - The Arab World in the 20th Century: Great Powers, Wars and Diplomacy

This course will offer an introduction to Great Power/regional dynamics in the Arab World with a view to highlighting the linkages and interplay between regional developments and Great Power politics during the 20 th Century, and how each has affected the other. It will assess the impact of global and regional wars on Great power diplomacy and their role in shaping the region and resolving its conflicts, from the demise of the Ottoman Empire to the emergence of the US as the dominant great power in the late 20 th century. It will examine how the Great Powers defined the area’s borders and peoples, and how their interests impacted on and were affected by the regions’ nationalisms, nation states, and local conflicts and collaborations. It will look at, inter alia: the post-WW1 Anglo-French regional carve up; the seeds of the Palestine/Israel conflict; WW2, US/Soviet competition and the Cold War; Suez, Nasserism and ‘positive neutrality’; the scramble for oil; the emergence of the US/Israeli strategic alliance; Iran, Turkey and the ‘periphery’; the US and the post-Soviet moment; and ISIS, Iraq and the new world order. 

Limited to 25 students. Spring semester. Professor Khalidi.

How to handle overenrollment: Preference to History majors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: This class places a premium on critical and analytic skills to be demonstrated in written papers and class participation. Oral presentations, and close reading of texts expected.